EVENT UPDATES

The first Championship event of the 2018 World Series of Poker has played down to a winner, and it's Paul Volpe that has claimed the bracelet in Event #9: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship.

Volpe already had two WSOP bracelets to his name before the final table and overcame three-time WSOP bracelet winner Eli Elezra in heads-up to add another title to his already impressive poker resume.

Final Result Event #9: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship

Position

Player

Country

Prize

1

Paul Volpe

United States

$417,921

2

Eli Elezra

United States

$258,297

3

Adam Coats

United States

$181,374

4

Kyle Miaso

United States

$129,648

5

Viacheslav Zhukov

Russia

$94,730

6

Dustin Dirksen

United States

$69,971

7

Robert Mizrachi

United States

$52,866

8

Daniel Zack

United States

$40,715

9

Per Hildebrand

Sweden

$31,977

In the interview after his victory, Volpe confirmed Elezra's joke upon showdown in the final hand in which Elezra said: "He got it fair and square, he ran like god."

"I think a lot of people with the same cards as me would have won the tournament."

While the duo wasn't separated by a ton of chips going into heads-up, Volpe quickly pulled away.

"I just ran like, really, really good, I think a lot of people with the same cards as me would have won the tournament," said Volpe.

The strategy wasn't quite the same after the restart, and the chip lead traded several times. With four players left, all of the hopefuls were at the top of the counts at some point in time.

"I was playing solid in the beginning. At Omaha, as there become fewer people, you know, you play more aggressive. Six-handed I was just trying to pick good hands, As we became shorter, that's when you try to open up and steal some pots if you can."

It came as no surprise to see Volpe and Elezra go head to head for the title, especially after the departure of two-time WSOP bracelet winner Viacheslav Zhukov in fifth place.

"I thought there was a good chance, me and Eli were the most experienced, we had the most chips or close to, there was a good chance of it being me and him."

The third bracelet win boosts Volpe's WSOP cashes to just shy of $3 million, and he may very well go past that in the coming weeks.

However, the player of the year race may not necessarily be the top priority for Volpe: "I don't know, [I'll] just see how I feel. Play more tournaments, more $10ks; I will probably play a decent amount more."

Adam Coats, who works as dealer at the Casino Caribbean in Kirkland, Washington, was supported by a large and loud rail and eventually finished third. Kyle Miaso, Viacheslav Zhukov and Dustin Dirksen rounded out the top six that returned to the PokerGO feature table at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino.

Paul Volpe wins 3rd WSOP Bracelet

169 Entrants

The first Championship Event of the 2018 WSOP drew a field of 169 entries to create a prize pool of $1,588,600 with the top 26 spots paid.

The money bubble burst late on Day 2 with Daniel Ratigan the last person to leave empty-handed. Among those to bust before bagging and tagging on Day 2 were such big names as Dan Shak, Anthony Zinno, and Steven Wolansky. Eli Elezra held the chip lead by then already.

Day 3 saw 22 players return to the tables to try and play down to the final six for the live-streamed final table. More big names were sent to the rail with Daniel Alaei, Nikolai Yakovenko, Chris Bjorin, Felipe Ramos, Mike Gorodinsky, Mike Matusow, Per Hildebrand, and Robert Mizrachi all heading for the pay-out desk.

Final Day Action

After nearly 26 levels of an hour each, the remaining six players bagged up and returned to the PokerGO Feature Table for an additional fourth day to determine a champion.

Eli Elezra was in the lead, while Dustin Dirksen, at the bottom of the counts, only had three big bets to his name. Dirksen doubled once, then got it in with top two pair and an eight-low draw against the middle set and better low draw of Paul Volpe. There was no miracle on the turn or river, and Dirksen was eliminated in sixth place.

Next to go was Viacheslav Zhukov who sent his remaining short stack over to Kyle Miaso. Zhukov flopped top pair only for Miaso to turn over bottom two pair. Again, the player at risk found no help on the turn, and river and that reduced the field to the final four. It then took as many hours for the next casualty to take place.

Miaso had taken over the chip lead at one point, but a series of hands left him short-stacked not much later. On a ten-high flop, Miaso got it in with middle pair and an ace-six low draw, and he faced the top two pair of Elezra. Another seven on the turn improved Elezra to a full house and a six on the river counterfeit Miaso's low draw.

Third-place finisher Adam Coats

Adam Coats had the loudest rail of them all and a smile on his face for the entire duration of the final table. Eventually, Coats had to settle for third place when his pair of aces and straight draw on a jack-ten-ten was outdrawn by the inferior straight draw of Elezra.

The heads-up started with a solid lead for Volpe who went on to establish a commanding lead and win almost every big pot in the one-versus-one duel. The final hand was no different as Volpe flopped the bottom end of the straight against Elezra's middle pair and gutshot. There was no upset on the turn and river and that crowned Volpe as the champion.

Eli Elezra finishes 2nd in event #9

This brings an end to the PokerNews live reporting for this event, but make to check out all the other ongoing WSOP bracelet events to find out who will engrave their name into poker history next.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:34 PM Local Time

Eli Elezra Eliminated in 2nd Place ($258,297)

Eli Elezra limped in and Paul Volpe raised, Elezra called. The flop fell and Volpe bet, Elezra moved all in and Volpe quickly called.

Eli Elezra:
Paul Volpe:

Volpe had flopped the bottom end of the straight while Elezra had a gutshot. "Alright, give me a ten," Elezra said and joked "he got it fair and square, he ran like god."

The turn and river were both blanks and Elezra was denied his fourth WSOP bracelet and has to settle for a payday of $258,297, while Volpe earned his third career bracelet.

A recap of today's action is to follow.

Paul Volpe

8,450,000

750,000

Eli Elezra

0

-750,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:30 PM Local Time

Elezra Escapes With Two Chops

Eli Elezra was two times all in and at risk on the turn only to have a chop guaranteed. In the second hand, he called a raise by Paul Volpe and check-called a bet on the flop before betting the turn.

Volpe raised and Elezra called all in with the for a flush. Volpe had for the low, making the river a formality.

Paul Volpe

7,700,000

350,000

Eli Elezra

750,000

-350,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:22 PM Local Time

Volpe Pulls Even Further Away

Eli Elezra raised and Paul Volpe three-bet, Elezra called. On the flop, Volpe bet and Elezra called. The appeared on the turn and Volpe's second bet forced a fold from Elezra.

Elezra three-bet an open raise by Volpe and received a call. The flop was checked and Elezra checked the turn. Volpe bet and Elezra mucked his face up.

Elezra limped and Volpe checked. Volpe checked the flop and folded to a bet by Elezra.

Paul Volpe

7,350,000

600,000

Eli Elezra

1,100,000

-600,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:14 PM Local Time

Volpe Gets a Fold

Paul Volpe raised from the button and Eli Elezra called from the big blind.

The flop came and Elezra checked. Volpe bet and Elezra called.

The fell on the turn, Elezra checked, Volpe bet, Elezra folded, and Volpe took the chips.

Paul Volpe

6,750,000

425,000

Eli Elezra

1,700,000

-425,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:10 PM Local Time

Elezra Under Pressure

In the last hand of the previous level, Eli Elezra limped in and Paul Volpe checked. On the flop no betting action took place and the fell on the turn. Volpe bet and Elezra called. Volpe bet again on the river and Elezra called, but mucked when he was shown the . "I had you crushed on the flop," Elezra said and showed his .

The first hand of the new level was chopped on a board of , Elezra had for deuces full, while Volpe claimed the low pot with an eighty-seven.

Elezra limped and Volpe raised, Elezra called. The flop came and Volpe checked, Elezra bet and Volpe called. After the turn, Volpe checked once more and folded to a bet of Elezra.

Paul Volpe

6,325,000

75,000

Eli Elezra

2,125,000

-75,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 8:05 PM Local Time

$10,000 Heads-Up Championship: Kane Kalas on Beating a Poker Legend

Kane Kalas knocked off back-to-back $10k Heads-Up Championship Runner-Up John Smith in the first round of this year's event. He tells us how he was able to gain the upper hand against an absolute legend.

Paul Volpe limped from the button, Eli Elezra made it two bets from the big blind, and Volpe called.

The flop came and Elezra checked. Volpe bet and Elezra called.

The turn brought the and both players checked.

The fell on the river and Elezra bet. Volpe called, Elezra tabled for the nut flush, Volpe mucked, and Elezra took the pot.

Paul Volpe

6,250,000

-35,000

Eli Elezra

2,200,000

35,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:59 PM Local Time

Volpe Takes the First Three Hands of Heads Up

Eli Elezra limped in and Paul Volpe checked in the big blind. Both players checked through the board and Volpe claimed the pot with the .

Volpe raised and Elezra called. On a flop of , Elezra checked and folded to a bet.

Elezra raised and Volpe came along to see a flop of . Volpe checked and called a bet before checking again on the turn. Elezra bet and Volpe check-raised, Elezra called. The river completed the board and Volpe bet, Elezra called.

Volpe showed the for trips sixes and Elezra replied "that's good" before flashing the .

Paul Volpe

6,285,000

1,320,000

Eli Elezra

2,165,000

-1,320,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:50 PM Local Time

Heads Up Play Underway

Paul Volpe starts the heads up against Eli Elezra with a solid lead, and the dinner break will take place at the end of the next level if the tournament is not finished by then.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:44 PM Local Time

Adam Coats Eliminated in 3rd Place ($181,374)

Paul Volpe folded his button, Eli Elezra called from the small blind, Adam Coats raised from the big blind, and Elezra called.

The flop came and Elezra bet. Coats raised all-in and Elezra called to put him at risk.

Eli Elezra:
Adam Coats:

Coats had the lead with his aces and Broadway wrap while Elezra had flopped a smaller straight draw. The on the turn gave Elezra some additional outs, and the river gave him a queen-high straight to win the pot and end Coats's deep run in this event.

Paul Volpe

4,965,000

65,000

Eli Elezra

3,485,000

185,000

Adam Coats

0

-600,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:36 PM Local Time

Coats Chops With Elezra

Eli Elezra limped from the small blind and Adam Coats checked in the big blind. On the flop, Elezra bet and Coats called. Elezra bet the turn and Coats moved all in for 300,000, Elezra called.

Adam Coats:
Eli Elezra:

The on the river changed nothing and Coats claimed the high pot, Elezra took the low.

Eli Elezra

3,300,000

100,000

Adam Coats

600,000

0

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:30 PM Local Time

Volpe Changes Gears

Adam Coats limped in and Paul Volpe raised in the big blind, Coats called and checked the flop. Volpe bet and Coats folded.

Coats raised on the button and Volpe calls in the big blind. The flop came and both players checked. Volpe bet the turn and Coats called before doing so again on the river. Volpe showed for the wheel and scooped the pot.

Volpe raised on the button and Eli Elezra three-bet in the small blind, Volpe called. The flop brought a bet by Elezra and a call. Same happened on the turn before the appeared on the river. Elezra bet and Volpe raised. "I am not going to reraise you," Elezra added and just called.

Volpe showed for a flush and the nut low, while Elezra had for the higher flush and counterfeit low.

Paul Volpe

4,900,000

2,030,000

Eli Elezra

3,200,000

-1,100,000

Adam Coats

600,000

-1,000,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:17 PM Local Time

Volpe Applies Pressure

Eli Elezra folded his button, Adam Coats called from the small blind, Paul Volpe made it two bets, and Coats called.

The flop came and Coats checked. Volpe bet, Coats check-raised, and Volpe called.

The turn brought the , Coats bet, and Volpe called.

The fell on the river and Coats bet. Volpe raised, Coats folded, and Volpe took the pot.

Paul Volpe

2,870,000

470,000

Adam Coats

1,600,000

-470,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:13 PM Local Time

Elezra Quarters Volpe

Paul Volpe raised first to act and Eli Elezra called in the small blind. Elezra checked the flop and Volpe bet, Elezra called.

On the turn, both players checked and Elezra bet the on the river. Volpe called to get shown for a flush and a low by Elezra.

Volpe had for the same low and received just one-quarter of the pot.

Eli Elezra

4,300,000

400,000

Paul Volpe

2,400,000

-395,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:04 PM Local Time

Kyle Miaso Eliminated in 4th Place ($129,648)

Kyle Miaso limped from the small blind and Eli Elezra raised, Miaso called. The flop fell and Miaso checked, Elezra bet and Miaso raised before calling all in against the three bets of Elezra.

Kyle Miaso:
Eli Elezra:

Miaso had a low draw along with his middle pair, but couldn't outright win the high pot anymore as soon as the turn improved Elezra to a full house. The on the river also counterfeit his low draw and he was eliminated in 4th place for $129,648.

Eli Elezra

3,900,000

510,000

Kyle Miaso

0

-435,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:00 PM Local Time

Miaso Chops a Three-Way Pot

Kyle Miaso raised from under the gun, Eli Elezra called from the button, and Paul Volpe called from the big blind.

The flop came and Volpe checked. Miaso moved all-in for his last 75,000, Elezra called, and Volpe called.

The fell on the turn and Volpe bet. Elezra folded and the two live players tabled their hands.

Kyle Miaso:
Paul Volpe:

Volpe had turned a six-high straight and Miaso held the nut low with a flush draw. The on the river missed both players entirely and they chopped the pot.

Paul Volpe

2,795,000

120,000

Kyle Miaso

435,000

120,000

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 6:58 PM Local Time

Jeff Gross: Twitch Taking Over the World Series of Poker

Professional poker player and popular Twitch streamer Jeff Gross chats with Jeff Platt about the impact Twitch is having on the poker community.

MOST TRUSTED BRAND IN POKER

For more than forty years, the World Series of Poker has been the most trusted name in the game. WSOP.com continues this legacy, yet strikes the proper balance between professional-grade and accessible. It's all the action and prestige of the World Series of Poker, from the comfort of your home or locale of choice. At WSOP.com, anyone can play and anyone can win. Dreams are dealt on daily basis. And no matter who you are, there's always a seat waiting for you.

WORLD'S MOST GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSIFIED GAMING COMPANY

Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the world's most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, 75 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions and now operates casinos on four continents. The company's resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah's® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars also owns the World Series of Poker® and the London Clubs International family of casinos. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.